Jamaican Easter Spice Bun
This Jamaican Easter Spice Bun is soft, sweet, moist, and flavorful, which make a delicious snack when it is eaten with a slice of cheddar cheese.
However, it is just as good by itself also.
In Jamaican, there is no Easter Holiday without a Jamaican Easter Bun on the menu.
Some people also refer to it as Jamaican Easter Spice Bun or just Spice Bun.
Even though, regular Jamaican Bun and Cheese is available right throughout the year, just before the month of March ends, there has to be the special Jamaican Easter Spice Bun on the shelves in all of the supermarkets around the island.
Mixed Peels & Raisins
The Jamaican Easter Bun recipe has lots of raisins and mixed peels.
The mixed peels are also called mixed fruits or candied fruit peel.
It is normally found in Fruit cakes and Christmas puddings.
Back in Jamaica, we put Mixed peel in our Christmas cakes and our Easter Bun.
I didn't use any mixed peel in this Jamaican Easter Bun Recipe, because I am not a big fan of it.
Sorry, I just don't like the taste of it .
Yes I know I can blend it out not to taste it, but I just didn't.
I still put it in the recipe, just in case you like it and want to use it.
Easter Traditions in Jamaica
Since we would be in the Lent Season already (eating no meat), traditionally on Good Friday, we don't do any cooking at all.
Yes, no pot whatsoever is put on the stove to cook.
We try to cook all the meals we want on the Thursday (Holy Thursday).
Hence, the main reason why we stock up on Easter Bun and Cheese.
So on Good Friday, we would go to a Church Service for the whole day (if your denomination believes in the tradition Easter festivity).
We would have Church Service in the morning, then break for lunch in the afternoon and then concert in the evening.
Well, that's what my Baptist Church does.
Traditionally, dinner was served after 3 pm on Good Friday.
Whether you are at home on Good Friday or at a Church service, the normal menu on a Good Friday would be Fried fish (Escovitch Fish) with Hard dough bread; some home made Ginger beer; and the famous Easter Bun with some Cheddar Cheese all throughout the day.
Trust me, you don't want anything else for the day.
However, on Easter Sunday, there was no specific rule on what you can or cannot eat.
Basically, we would eat Chicken dishes, Pork (Stew or Jerk) and some left over Escovitch Fish with some Jamaican Rice and Peas.
Some of the Ingredients used to make Easter Bun
Migrating to America has caused me to miss the tradition of eating Jamaican Bun and Cheese, especially around the Easter Holiday.
Yes I can find Jamaican Spice Bun here. However, the price can be ridiculous.
I still close my eyes and buy it still.
But the thought of making it for myself is so rewarding.
The major ingredient to this Jamaican Easter Spice Bun Recipe is the Stout.
I used a stout called Dragon Stout, a product of Jamaica.
It gives it a rich dark texture in the end.
You can also you Guinness if you aren't able to get a Dragon Stout.
While you can find Guinness at Walmart Supermarket, the Dragon Stout can be found a West Indies Supermarket.
Walkerswood Jamaican Guava Jam is used to help with the texture and flavor.
If you are not able to get the one I used, then you can get Strawberry Jam instead or any other choice of brand.
What is Mixed Spice?
The Mixed Spice is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, cloves and ginger.
It is added to Christmas cakes, Easter Bun and other pastry.
You can get it from any West Indies Supermarket or even on the internet at Amazon.
Also, you can choose to make your own by combining 1 equal parts for each item listed.
Store in a air tight container.
How to store your Jamaican Spice Bun
To store your Jamaican Easter Bun, you can tightly wrap it up in plastic wrap and then store it in an air tight container or a typical ziploc bag.
You can keep it on your counter top for about 3 to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How to make Jamaican Easter Spice Bun
Firstly, whisk together all the dry ingredients in a small bowl.
Melt the butter and add the stout, browning, brown sugar, molasses, honey, jam, vanilla extract and the beaten egg. Make sure to add the raisins to the liquid mixture.
Then, combine all the dry and the liquid ingredients and mix well.
Lastly, pour the batter in a loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
My Amazon Selections:
2 pack Grace Jamaican Browning Sauce
The Spice Way Whole Nutmeg 4oz
Jamaican Easter Spice Bun Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of Dragon Stout or Guinness Stout
- 4 Tablespoon Butter, melted
- 2 teaspoon Browning
- ¾ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Molasses
- ¼ cup Honey
- 1 Tablespoon Jamaican Guava Jam
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 teaspoon Mixed Spice
- 1 Egg, beaten
- 1 cup Raisins
- ½ cup Mixed peel (optional)
- 3 cups All Purpose Flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
- 8 Maraschino Cherries, diced
- 2 Tablespoon honey
- 2 Tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with baking spray or butter and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan on low heat. Once the butter is melted, turn off the heat.
- Add the stout, browning, brown sugar, molasses, honey, guava jam, vanilla extract and the beaten egg to the melted butter and continue mixing together, until the sugar granules are dissolved.
- Add the raisins and mixed peel (optional) to the liquid ingredients and mix together.
- In a large bowl, add all the dry ingredients and whisk them together. Combine the liquid mixture with the dry ingredients and mix, until combined evenly.
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and add the diced cherries on the top, if so desired.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Once it is finish baking, remove from the oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack.
- TO GLAZE: Add 2 Tablespoons of honey and 2 Tablespoons of water into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove the glaze mixture and use a pastry brush to apply to the surface of the Easter Bun.
- Slice and enjoy.
Additional Recipes
- Carrot Cake
- Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
- Banana Bread
- Hawaiian Banana Bread
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Please let me know what you think about my Jamaican Easter Spice Bun in the comment section below.
Thank you for stopping by and please come back again.
Blessings and Love as you carry on, on your YouNique Journey!
Jamaican Easter Spice Bun
This Jamaican Easter Spice Bun is soft, sweet, moist, and flavorful, which make a delicious snack when it is eaten with a slice of cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of Dragon Stout or Guinness Stout
- 4 tablespoon Butter, melted
- 2 teaspoon Browning
- ¾ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Molasses
- ¼ cup Honey
- 1 tablespoon Walkerswood Jamaican Guava Jam
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 teaspoon Mixed Spice
- 1 Egg, beaten
- 1 cup Raisins
- ½ cup Mixed peel (optional)
- 3 cups All Purpose Flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
- 8 Maraschino Cherries, diced
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with baking spray or butter and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan on low heat. Once the butter is melted, turn off the heat.
- Add the stout, browning, brown sugar, molasses, honey, guava jam, vanilla extract and the beaten egg to the melted butter and continue mixing together, until the sugar granules are dissolved.
- Add the raisins and mixed peel (optional) to the liquid ingredients and mix.
- In a large bowl, add all the dry ingredients and whisk them together. Combine the liquid mixture with the dry ingredients and mix.
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and add the diced cherries on the top, if so desired.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Once it is finish baking, remove from the oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack.
TO GLAZE: Add 2 Tablespoons of honey and 2 Tablespoons of water into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove the glaze mixture and use a pastry brush to apply to the surface of the Easter Bun.
Slice and enjoy.
Notes
- If you are not able to get a Dragon Stout, you can use Guinness Stout instead.
- Also, instead of using Walkerswood Jamaican Guava Jam, you can use Strawberry Jam as a substitute.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 slices Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 324Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 265mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 2gSugar: 32gProtein: 5g
The nutritional information that is provided, is computer generated and therefore it is an estimate. Please do your own research with the ingredients that are listed here, if you have any concern about any specific diet or your health.
Thank you so much for this recipe it was simple and easy to follow. I am not a baker but it turned out awesome. It was picture perfect as well as moist and tasty ?
Hi Leonie, no thank you for giving my Easter Bun recipe a try. I am glad it was easy to follow and most importantly it turned out awesome. Please continue stay safe in this trying time.
Yanique,
Thank you so much for your recipes. I've tried the Stout Bun, Carrot Cake and Banana Bread so far. Look here, you have me baking like a pro and I love because I'm currently enrolled in a culinary arts programme. The Stout Bun and Carrot Cake were a hit among persons who tasted them, I even got orders. Thanks again Yanique, I'll stay tuned right here.
Hi Simone,
You made me smile from ear to ear. Thank you for giving my recipes a try. I appreciate it alot. You are most welcome. Continue to bake away my dear.
Best recipe ever.
How do I avoid it getting a bit crusty.
Hi Sysan,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try. When you say crusty, do you mean avoiding the bun from getting dried out? If so, you can store it in an air tight container (wrap it up tightly with plastic wrap first) to keep it moist. If this is not what you mean let me know please. Thanks.
I absolutely love this recipe thank you!! The only variation I made was: I used 1 cup of pastry flour plus 2 cups all purpose flour, cause I didnt have enough all purpose flour on hand for 3 cups. I also held back a little of the dragon stout mixture to glaze with. I also dont like chunks of mixed peel and fruit so I blended mine out in a cup of red label wine. The bun was super moist, did not crack during the baking and I loved that it raises so nicely in size during the baking.
Hi Marcy,
Thank you for trying out my recipe. Thanks for that awesome idea to leave a little of the mixture for the glaze...I will definitely give it a try the next time I bake it. I am so happy that it came out beautifully. You will have to give me the secret so mine won't crack. Thanks again Marcy.
Love love love! Thank you for this recipe. I did a trial today before next weekend and it came out sooo delicious. Will be doing again for Easter, thank you!
Hi Mimi,
Thank you so much for giving it a try and I am glad it turns out great. Happy Easter when it comes....enjoy your buns.
@Yanique Vincent, I'm a follower of your page, I'm retired and have to be in hiding from my friends because of your recipe. I have some friends who are cursing me because they are allergies ty eggs and raisins, do you have any recipe for buns that exclude eggs and raisins.
Hi Tony,
Thanks for that laugh....I am sorry you have to be hiding from your friends LOL. Unfortunately, I don't have a bun recipe that exclude eggs. However, you can do a Google search and find a vegan type. I saw some with eggs substitute. In regards to raisins, you don't have to put any in the batter. It will taste great the same way. I hope you can come out of hiding now...LOL. Thanks for your support.
I need your expertise please - baking my easter bun, but every time it comes out without raising. So it's pretty heavy inside, I have changed the flour, brand, always using all purpose, bought new baking powder, I have 3 different types. Again it comes out really heavy like pudding'sh. I am using a new mixer, as the Sunbeam one I was using, stopped working, got a Cuisnart one. Could the mixer be the problem? Await to hear from you with your expert advise, can send you a pic. I always make Easter Bun for myself and my brother every year, but this year can't find the problem. Can it be the oven? I normally bake at 350 deg F. I can always send you a pic. if necessary. Thanks.
Hi Helen, I am so sorry this is happening each time you bake the Easter bun. Honestly, I have never had a person saying it wouldn't rise up when it is baking. The only thing different from what you explained is that I used a spatula or a whisk but never a mixer. Or perhaps it's the oven not heating up good enough for it to rise. The other thing that I can think of is to make sure when measuring flour, you use a regular spoon to scoop into the measuring cup and then level off...to prevent not adding too much flour. I can't think of anything else at this time. If I think of anything else I will update my reply. So sorry you are having this issue.
I made your bun recipe today. OMG it's the best recipe. I didn't change a thing. It came out perfect and it was delicious. Who said bun is only for Easter.
Hi Jenean,
Awww....you made me smile. Thanks for giving my recipe a try....and you are right, bun isn't just for Easter only lol. Enjoy my dear. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I made a bun with pretty much the same ingredients you used pretty except the egg and the bun didn't rise. It came out heavy, could it be because I didn't use the egg?? Plan to try your without the egg.
Hi Marie,
I am not sure why the recipe you used did allow the bun to rise. To be honest I have never baked it without an egg. I don't think it should cause a problem because people that are vegans have made it without the egg.
However, this is what I came up with....
*It could be the baking powder, check the date or use a different brand.
*Do not overmix the batter.
*Also, every oven has a different temperature. You could check the temperature before putting the batter in to bake, just to make sure it is 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hopefully, this will help and you will be able to find the problem. Please let me know if it helps and how it turns out. Thanks for your feedback.
Made my Easter Bun on Good Friday, so moist and delicious.
Hi Veediamond,
Awesome!!! Thank you so much for giving it a try. Enjoy. Happy Easter to you and your family.
Do you sell Easter buns?
Hi,
Unfortunately, I don't sell Easter Buns. But I hope you will still give this recipe a try.
I make Easter bun every year... but this year I am mixing it up a bit with a little healthy ingredient in the mix (beetroot). I have got to say your easter bun looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing. Love your recipes
Hi Julian,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I would love to know how your Easter bun turns out with beetroot in it. Please come back and let me know. Thanks again. Appreciate the support
I'm about to give your recipe a try, I am just a bit confused about one thing. You claim that mix spice is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger. In the ingredients list you have your mixed spice listed and then you have cinnamon and nutmeg listed again. Are you saying even after I add the mix spice I should add more cinnamon and nutmeg? Sorry if it is a dumb question just want to make sure I get it right.
Hi Steven,
First off, no it's not a dumb question to ask...I am here to answer it all.
Yes, add cinnamon and nutmeg again after adding the mix spice. Mix Spice also includes allspice too and it gives a different taste otherwise from the nutmeg and cinnamon. Its's a spice we use regular in Jamaica. I hope your Easter Bun turns out good. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Yanique, I just came across your recipe on the web and I will be giving it a try for the Easter. I have been baking buns for a while but have not come up with one that I am completely satisfied with. I hope this will be the one. I will let you know.
Thanks for sharing your recipe.
God bless you!
Hi Rosemarie,
Yes, please come back and let me know the results. I am hoping that this recipe will be the one you are completely satisfied with and love. God bless you too and Happy Easter to you and your family.
Hi Yanique, thanks for sharing your receipe. Can the be optional?
I meant to say, can egg be optional.
Hi Donna,
Honestly, I have never done it without using an egg. But I have gotten messages from my Instagram Page telling me that they have done it without an egg
However, if it's a case where you want to do a vegan version or make it dairy free, then to what I have seen from my Google search for Easter Bun without egg is that most vegan recipes use flax seed to replace the egg. If you try it without the egg or replace it with something else, please let me know. Thanks much again.
I used your recipe yesterday and I have to say it is really good. Next time I will try a water bath so that it does not crack on the top. Overall the flavor is on point. I like the fact that I know what is going into my bun instead of store bought that has all the extra preservatives and words I cannot pronounce lol. I did find that the outer layer was a bit hard, but I'm comparing to what I by in the stores. I will continue to use your recipe as I too have to shut my eyes when buying store bought due to prices. Thank you for this recipe, it will be my go to from now on. 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
Hi Steven,
When you know exactly what is going inside your body, it makes a big difference. Plus, knowing you did it yourself...just awesome.
I baked it at 330 with a water bath and it still had a crack. As for the hard top, once you cover it after glazing it and it is cool, the next day it is not that hard on the top. You are most welcome. Thank you for giving it a try. Happy Easter to you and your family.
I can't find Guava Jam or Mixed spice can I use Jelly I place of jam
Hi Sunshine,
So sorry you cant find these items. Yes you can you the jelly to replace the jam.
As for the mixed spice, mix together cloves, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and ginger to make it...equal parts for each. Hope you still give it a try.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
Thanks so much for your recipe. I am not a baker per say but I will try from time to time. The Easter bun was delicious; my husband already ate more than half the bun in less than a day. Extra thanks for the recipe and for actually baking the bun for us this Easter.
Hi Keekee,
You are most welcome...anytime. I am so happy he enjoyed it.
Hi Yanique,
I don't have access to the traditional Jamaica Easter Bun on the island where I live, so I tried your Easter Bun recipe this Easter weekend and it turned out great! It was really simple. Does not require a mixer at all. It's moist and tastes just as good as the buns which are sold in the shops in Jamaica! Keep up the good work.
Angela
Hi Angela,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am so glad it came out great. Thanks for giving it a try.
this recipe is amazing, the final thing i added to make the bun super moist is mix in 100mls of buttermilk at the end before baking, then your bun will taste soft like the best imported boxed bun from Jamaica but with no artifical flavourings and preservatives... The buttermilk really made a difference... thank you for the receipe came out perfect every time... note always preheat your over for at least 30 minutes...
Hi Joana,
I am so glad it came out perfect. Thank you for your feedback and tip. Thanks for giving it a try.
Thanks you so much for the recipe,it help me to remember how my mom use to bake it back home,I am baking it now as I wrote this.
Hi Donna,
You are most welcome. I am glad it brought back memories of your mother (smiling). Please let me know how it was. Thank you for giving it a try.
I just finished making this recipe. Yes it's very simple to make. The taste is good.
Hi Jennie,
I am glad you gave it a try and it taste good. Awesome. Thank you.
How many ozs is the bottle of Stout/Guiness??
Hi Amy,
The Dragon Stout I used in the Easter Spice Bun is a 9.6oz bottle. I hope that helps.